West Cheshire Credit Union

The West Cheshire Credit Union is a local financial co-operative commissioned by the Council, working with Health and Housing groups, to deliver a saving and loan service for residents. Operating on a not-for-profit basis, they have over 4,100 active members who live, work, study or volunteer in Cheshire West, Cheshire East, or Flintshire.

The cost of living crisis means that essential goods and services are becoming more expensive than ever. Whether you are saving for something special or need help to pay for an unexpected cost, West Cheshire Credit Union aims to provide safe and affordable financial services to all members of the community.

Keep reading to find out about their most popular services.

• With the Family Loan, members can apply for up to £800 and repayments are made via Child Benefits. A portion of the benefit is used for loan repayment, with the rest being placed into your savings account or other chosen bank account. This helps residents save money while also staying out of debt. You can apply for the Family Loan (and membership) online or in branch
• The Payroll Saver helps people to put aside money from their earnings to save for big events like Christmas and family holidays. West Cheshire Credit Union is working with many high-profile companies to help people save directly from their wages. To find out if your employer is signed up, visit the Credit Union's Savings page
• The Junior Saver is a savings account for children and young people from birth to age 16. Account holders are offered 3 per cent interest on balances of up to £3,000. It also encourages children and young people to learn about money to prepare them for later life.

The West Cheshire Credit Union is regulated via the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulatory Authority, just like high street banks, so members can rest assured that their savings are safe and secure with cover of up to £85,000 provided by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.